Squeegee blade

ABSTRACT

A new rubber or rubberlike squeegee blade for windshield wipers and the like and including hinged sidewalls in the elongate body allowing flip-flop controlled action of the wiping lip and where the movement of the sidewalls is restricted by suitable buttresses. The blade has a uniform cross section throughout its entire length and the action of the blade at any point in its wiping action is responsive to a parallelogram motion of the sidewalls of the blade.

United States Patent Rosen [451 Jan. 25, 1972 1 SQUEEGIEEIBLADE [72] lnventor: Ian K. Rosen, 440 Mitzi St., North Muskegon, Mich. 49445 [22] Filed: Jan. 26, 1970 211 Appl. No.: 5,690

[52] U.S.Cl ..l5/250.36, l5/250.4l [51] Int. Cl ..B60s 1/32, B605 1/28 [58] Field of Search l 5/250.36, 250.4, 250.41, 250.42

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,01 1,015 8/1935 Schleicher ..l5/250.4 2,051,668 8/1936 Zaiger ..15/250.4 2,063,375 12/1936 Harvey et al l5/250.4

2,090,701 8/1937 Rodrick ..15/250.4

3,428,997 2/1969 Rickett ..l5/250.36 3,566,432 3/1971 Quinlanetal. ..15/250.36

Primary Examiner-Peter Feldman Attorney-Miller, Morriss, Pappas and McLeod ABSTRACT A new rubber or rubberlike squeegee blade for windshield wipers and the like and including hinged sidewalls in the elongate body allowing flip-flop controlled action of the wiping lip and where the movement of the sidewalls is restricted by suitable buttresses. The blade has a uniform cross section throughout its entire length and the action of the blade at any point in its wiping action is responsive to a parallelogram motion of the sidewalls of the blade.

7 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PATENTEB JAH25 1972 3 365 3 sum 3 or 3 FIG. 5A PIG. 5B

ATTORNEYS SQUEEGEE BLADE The present invention is a new and improved squeegee blade for windshield wipers and the like. It is made from rubber or rubberlike resin material and is intended as a replacement blade in existing squeegee blade applications. The metal elements comprising windshield wiper assemblies are not as readily worn out by use as is the squeegee blade. The present blade replaces the worn out and discarded blade and provides a superior blade performance. The performance of the blade is very good and the body of the blade is prepared to accomplish a flip-flop of the wiping lip in accord with oscillation of the wiper holder. The body movement is limited by stop buttresses integral with the body and the hinges which allow the sidewalls to controllably shift are also integral with the body. A head or head strip is provided which, with the body, provides mounting support for spine strips. The spine strips, in turn, are gripped by claw elements in the wiper arm.

Accordingly, the principal object of the present invention is to provide a new, improved and useful blade element which can replace womout blades. Other objects including superior blade performance as a consequence of the inventive construction will be appreciated as the description proceeds. Other objects including the economy and advantages of an extruded and hinged wiper blade construction will be appreciated.

The closest known wiper blade structures in the prior art are: U.S. Pat. No. 2,090,702 to Rodrich; U.S. Pat. No. 2,051,668 to Zaiger; U.S. Pat. No. 3,408,680 to Heller; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,409,930 to Linker. None of these devices are seen to show or suggest the structures of applicant as herein described.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION In general, the present invention comprises a squeegee or wiper blade for windshield wipers and the like which comprises a single piece of rubber or rubberlike material having a uniform cross section through its entire length and including a body portion which surrounds or encloses an elongate cavity and where the body portion is provided with integral hinges and an integral buttress portion which limits the movement of the hinged sidewalls of the body and accordingly controls the wiping lip which depends from the body for reciprocal and lateral engagement with a surface to be wiped or cleaned. Hence, the buttresses transmit a wiping force. A mounting bead is provided above the body but connected by a neck portion to the body portion to accommodate attachment of spine elements in the elongate slots between head or bead and the body and ultimate attachment to a wiper arm for example.

Preferably, the blade or wiper of the present invention is extruded and the material forming the extrusion may be specially compounded and the product may thereafter be chemically treated to provide the desired surface action and to provide the desired edge fineness required in the wiping lip.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of a wiper blade assembly in accord with the present invention and showing the relationship of the squeegee element to the spine elements. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross section end elevation view taken through the assembled structure of FIG. 1 and indicating the details of construction of the squeegee unit as against a surface to be wiped.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are drawings in accord with the FIG. 2 but indicating the deformation in the squeegee blade of the present invention by alternate left and right oscillating blade movement in contact with the surface to be wiped and demonstrating the flip-flop character of the blade movement and the parallelogram shifting of the blade support body.

FIGS. 3, 3A and 3B are cross section end elevation views of a slightly modified wiper blade construction in accord with the present invention and indicating the hinging and buttressing of the blade as it is oscillated in use against the surface to be wiped.

FIGS. 4, 4A and 4B are full section end elevation views of a modified form of squeegee blade under the present invention and indicating its controlled defon'nation under oscillation with the surface to be wiped.

FIGS. 5, 5A and 5B show another form of the present invention in full section elevation view under extremes of oscillating stress.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION In FIG. 1 the elongate wiper or squeegee 11 of the present invention has a uniform cross section and is preferably extruded from suitable rubber and rubberlike compounds such as neoprene and the like. The squeegee 11 includes a head or bead portion 12, a hollow body portion 13, and a depending blade portion 14, all of said portions being integral. Integral hinges 15 are provided in symmetrical relation and these hinges 15 are the consequence of weakened cross section areas in the body as shown. In addition selected flexure is obtained in the neck portion 16 intermediate the head 12 and the body 13 by the elongatecavity 17 which may be adjusted in size to reduce the cross section of the neck portion 16. The de' pending blade 14 includes two sharp edges 18 flanking the length of the blade 14.

The grooves 19 formed between the head or bead l2 and the body 13 provides connecting means for parallel spine elements 20 which are made of metal in one or two pieces and which are secured at the ends as by clips 21 which impinge on the detents 22 at the ends of the spine elements 20 holding the spine elements 20 in close snug relation in the grooves 19 against the neck 16. As will be appreciated the spine elements 20 are flat strips .of metal which rather easily flex with stresses normal to their principal plane but which resist flexure from forces applied transverse of their thickness or forces applied in the direction of the plane of the spine elements 20. This allows the blade 18 and body 13 to conform or undulate in accord with the surface configuration of the surface, such as automobile glass, to be cleaned. At the same time, the length of the squeegee 11 resists deformation during oscillation. End plugs 23 conformed to the cavity 24 running the length squeegee 11 are provided to prevent accumulation of ice and snow where and when such accumulations are likely. The plugs 23 are not critical to the operation of the squeegee 11 even in adverse weather, but performance is improved thereby. The plugs 23 are formed of soft, easily deformable rubber or rubberlike material so as to cause minimum dampening of the desired deformation in the squeegee 11 during use.

By reference to the full cross section of FIG. 2 the squeegee 11 construction is best understood and the FIGS. 2A and 2B are of assistance in appreciating the symmetric deformation under right and left oscillating forces. The cross section is uniform for the whole length of the squeegee l 1 and the spine pieces 20 are shown stabilizing the squeegee 11. The clips 21 are not shown but from FIG. 1 it will be appreciated that these clips 21 or analogous gripping claws secure the spine elements 20 in the grooves 19 and provide means allowing the squeegee l l to be gripped by a holder which is not a part of the present invention.

The surface to be wiped 25 such as windshield glass of the like is shown in contact with the depending blade 14 and the sharp flank edges 18 are seen in nonworking contact with the glass 25. The body portion 13 of the squeegee ll defines a cavity 24 which runs the length of the squeegee 11 and, as can be clearly seen, the cavity 24 is symmetric about a plane run through the blade 14, the opening 17 and splitting the head 12. While this symmetry of cavity 24 and squeegee ll exists rarely when the squeegee 11 is in operation, it is the form at extrusion or forming and to which the memory characteristics of the material have their bias.

One or more integral buttresses 26 depend into the cavity 24 as shown in such a manner as to retain the symmetry of the structure. The hinges 15, then, in the parallel sidewalls 27 and 28 are in spaced apart juxtaposed pairs as seen and formed by thinning the sidewalls 27 and 28. A lower bridgeportion 29 connecting the lower end of the sidewalls 27 and 28 provides the connecting thickened membrane from which the blade 14 depends. The upper bridge portion 30 connects the sidewalls 27 and 28 at the top and the buttress elements 26 depend from the upper bridge portion 30 and into the cavity 24. The hinges 15 are seen to operate in pairs allowing an approximation of a parallelogram deformation in body 13 as lateral stresses occur in the oscillation of the squeegee 11. In FIG. 2A the squeegee blade 11 is moved in the direction of the force arrow causing a parallelogram action as between the upper and lower bridge portions 30 and 29 by virtue of the hinges l5 and limited by contact with one of the buttress elements 26. Some flexure is provided in the buttress 26 as is required but the buttress 26 resists further deformation and ideally positions the blade 14 in trailing position with the cutting edge 18 of the squeegee ideally positioned for wiping the glass or surface 25.

In FIG. 2B the force arrow is reversed from FIG. 2A indicating a reversal of direction of movement as the squeegee 11 is oscillated. The body 13 is oppositely deformed on the same hinges 15 as previously observed and parallelogram type action, including internal resistance by the buttresses 26 now against the sidewall 27 provides an easy transition in flip-flop fashion positioning the wiper blade 14 in proper trailing position under proper force from the movement in the squeegee 11 so that the sharp edge 18 is properly engaged against the surface 25 to be wiped. The operative illustration in FIG. 2A and 2B are somewhat schematized since some flexure occurs in the neck position 16 and can be adjusted by the size of the opening 17 and the total cross section of rubber or rubberlike material in the neck region. This allows a calculated tilt in the entire assembly as it oscillates and transitionally accomplishes a flip-flop reversal in direction.

In FIG. 3, 3A and 33 a modified squeegee structure 31, in accord with the present invention is shown in its fixed and operafive positions in both directions of oscillation. The major difference is in the utilization of a stiffer buttress element 32 extending into the cavity 33 of the body 34. The lower bridge portion 35 is notched at 36 to vary the flexural characteristics of the blade 37 aside from the flexure consequent to the thin section hinges 38. The FIGS. 3A and 38 indicate the deformation during wiping action as indicated by the force arrows and in reference to the wiped surface 39.

FIGS. 4, 4A and 4B show another operative modification in which the squeegee unit 41 is similar in construction to the prior described devices but a single buttress 42 extends into the body cavity 43 and the outer surfaces of the body 44 are smooth in the sidewall areas since the hinges 45 are thinned internally by the configuration of the cavity 43. In this modification additional hinges at 46 flanking the connection of wiper blade 47 to the body 44 allows flexure of the element 42 with the blade 47 to contact with internal wall stops 48. In the device of FIG. 4 the buttress 42 moves in relation to the blade 47 while parallelogram hinge action is achieved by the cooperative action of hinges 45. FIGS. 4A and 4B provide schematized action sequence of the device in FIG. 4 as it is oscillated in flip-flop relation against the surface 49 to be wiped. The arrows indicate the respective directions of movement. The spine elements are identical to those seen in FIGS. 1-3 inclusive.

FIGS. 5, 5A and 5B show still another embodiment of the present inventive wiper squeegee 51 wherein the body portion 52 establishes a cavity 53 which extends for the length of the body 52. As in the other described devices the cross section is uniform throughout the entire length and the buttress element 54, integrally formed from the rubber or rubberlike stock, extends into the cavity and remains relatively static during oscillation of the blade 55. The sidewalls 56 provide the hinge since they are movable to buttressing contact with the buttress 54. While the buttress 54 is shown as cylindrical, ovoid and elliptical configurations may be used satisfactorily to space or time the flip-flop sequence which occurs at the end of each working wiping stroke. As described in reference to FIG. 2,

the spine elements 20 secure the squeegee 51 in a controlled relation for attachment to a wiper arm (not shown). The

FIGS. 5A and 58 clearly show the kinetic extremes of oscillating movement and indicate the deformation in the body 52 at 5 the wiping position in left and right directions against the surface 59. In FIGS. 5A and 5B the arrows indicate the direction of travel of the squeegee 51.

In all of the described squeegee structures a controlled deformation is achieved by means of a hollow squeegee held relatively rigid at the top and with thin section hinges in pairs or effective as pairs to allow a parallelogram shifting from left to right to an extent limited by buttress contact. As seen the parallelogram action also involves a relative lifting of the blade at transition from left to right. The buttress itself may be provided with limited flexure the depending wiper blade trails the direction of movement is an excellent wiping posture engaging the sharp edge of the blade with the surface to be wiped. Flexure at the connection of spine elements to squeegee can be adjusted by variance in the thickness of the stock at the neck portion of the devices or by the size of control opening. The flexure in the body results in an unusual freedom from accumulation of ice and sleet when the blade is in use. All of the present devices are amenable to manufacture by extrusion and using compounding, curing, and treating techniques to provide best flexure, best edge action, and best drag characteristics from one end of the blade (moving relatively slowly) to the other end of the blade which moves relatively rapidly in oscillation.

Unlike prior art devices, the devices of. the present invention rework themselves as a consequence of the mechanical action in avoidance of set during rest position of the blade on a windshield, for example. This extends the life of the blade and allows use of ozone-resistant materials in the manufacture of the blade.

These devices find principal use as replacements for worn out blades of other manufacture and may be readily cut to length for mounting on any known blade holders.

Having expressed the concept of squeegee blades where flexure is controlled to admit of an extruded form, others skilled in the art will perceive improvements and modifications of the described structures and such improvements and modifications are intended to be included herein limited only by the scope of my hereinafter appended claims.

Iclaim:

l. A windshield wiper blade comprising:

a one piece extrudable rubber or rubberlike blade element having at least one elongate cavity therethrough, said cavity extending around an integral buttress projection, and said blade having a plurality of thin walled integral hinges in symmetric arrangement flanking an outwardly projecting integral squeegee blade and the body portions in between said hinges selectively moving inward to limiting resilient contact with said buttress projection.

2. A resilient wiper blade comprising an extrudable elongate blade element having an integral head portion, a hollow body portion, a neck portion between said head portion and said body portion;

a pair of buttress surfaces integral with said body and extending into the hollow of said body;

a plurality of symmetrically arranged thin wall elongate hinges integral with said body adjacent said hollow and defining therebetween a thickened body portion limited in internal movement by contact with said buttress surfaces;

and a outwardly projecting integral squeegee blade on the plane of symmetry of said body, said neck and said head portions, and having at least two wiping edges.

3. A windshield wiper having plural flexing characteristics comprising:

a pair of side by side parallel flat spring elements easily flexing under pressures transverse to their flat plane but resisting deformation from transverse pressures applied parallel to their planes;

a resilient elongate extruded hollow blade supported between flat spring elements by an integral head portion and depending neck portion between said head and a body portion whereby said spring elements are retained symmetrically on each side of said blade and between said head and said body portions;

a buttress portion symmetrically extending into a central cavity defined by the walls of said body;

a plurality of thin wall elongate hinges in symmetrical arrangement on said walls of said body on each side of said cavity;

and an integral squeegee projecting symmetrically from said body portion on the plane of symmetry of said blade.

4. A wiper blade in accord with claim 3 wherein said flat spring elements are secured together at the ends thereof in spaced-apart parallel relation.

5. A one-piece extrudable windshield wiper squeegee commprising:

an elongate depending wiping lip;

an elongate hollow body portion from which said lip de pends and including a bridge portion, sidewall portions and a bottom portion;

an elongate protuberance or buttress extending internally to provide a movement limiting stop to said sidewalls of said body portion; and

integral elongate hinges formed in said sidewalls of said body whereby said sidewalls are movable in substantially parallel flip-flop relation to engagement with said buttress whereby said wiping lip is selectively compressed and shifted in accord with oscillating lateral movement of said body.

6. An elongate extruded form of squeegee blade for windshield wipers and the like comprising in cross section a depending inverted wedge-shaped blade form having two spaced-apart sharp buttressed edges, said edges being at the base of said wedge-shaped blade form and an integral hinge above said base and the uppermost apex of said wedge-shaped blade form, said hinge leading said edges in each direction of travel.

7. An elongate extruded form of squeegee blade for windshield wipers and the like comprising in cross section a depending inverted wedge-shaped blade form having two spaced-apart sharp buttressed edges, said edges being at the base of said wedge-shaped blade form and an integral hinge above said base and the uppermost apex of said wedge-shaped blade form, said hinge leading said edges in each direction of travel; and

a hollow body symmetrically positioned above said wedgeshaped blade and integral therewith, said body including an internally projecting buttress and said body limited in its resilient deformation by contact with said internal buttress. 

1. A windshield wiper blade comprising: a one piece extrudable rubber or rubberlike blade element having at least one elongate cavity therethrough, said cavity extending around an integral buttress projection, and said blade having a plurality of thin walled integral hinges in symmetric arrangement flanking an outwardly projecting integral squeegee blade and the body portions in between said hinges selectively moving inward to limiting resilient contact with said buttress projection.
 2. A resilient wiper blade comprising an extrudable elongate blade element having an integral head portion, a hollow body portion, a neck portion between said head portion and said body portion; a pair of buttress surfaces integral with said body and extending into the hollow of said body; a plurality of symmetrically arranged thin wall elongate hinges integral with said body adjacent said hollow and defining therebetween a thickened body portion limited in internal movement by contact with said buttress surfaces; and a outwardly projecting integral squeegee blade on the plane of symmetry of said body, said neck and said head portions, and having at least two wiping edges.
 3. A windshield wiper having plural flexing characteristics comprising: a pair of side by side parallel flat spring elements easily flexing under pressures transverse to their flat plane but resisting deformation from transverse pressures applied parallel to their planes; a resilient elongate extruded hollow blade supported between flat spring elements by an integral head portion and depending neck portion between said head and a body portion whereby said spring elements are retained symmetrically on each side of said blade and between said head and said body portions; a buttress portion symmetrically extending into a central cavity defined by the walls of said body; a plurality of thin wall elongate hinges in symmetrical arrangement on said walls of said body on each side of said cavity; and an integral squeegee projecting symmetrically from said body portion on the plane of symmetry of said blade.
 4. A wiper blade in accord with claim 3 wherein said flat spring elements are secured together at the ends thereof in spaced-apart parallel relation.
 5. A one-piece extrudable windshield wiper squeegee commprising: an elongate depending wiping lip; an elongate hollow body portion from which said lip depends and including a bridge portion, sidewall portions and a bottom portion; an elongate protuberance or buttress extending internally to provide a movement limiting stop to said sidewalls of said body portion; and integral elongate hinges formed in said sidewalls of said body whereby said sidewalls are movable in substantially parallel flip-flop relation to engagement with said buttress whereby said wiping lip is selectively compressed and shifted in accord with oscillating lateral movement of said body.
 6. An elongate extruded form of squeegee blade for windshield wipers and the like comprising in cross section a depending inverted wedge-shaped blade form having two spaced-apart sharp buttressed edges, said edges being at the base of said wedge-shaped blade form and an integral hinge above said base and the uppermost apex of said wedge-shaped blade form, said hinge leading said edges in each direction of travel.
 7. An elongate extruded form of squeegee blade for windshield wipers and the like comprising in cross section a depending inverted wedge-shaped blade form having two spaced-apart sharp buttressed edges, said edges being at the base of said wedge-shaped blade form and an integral hinge above said base and the uppermost apex of said wedge-shaped blade form, said hinge leading said edges in each direction of travel; and a hollow body symmetrically positioned above said wedge-shaped blade and integral therewith, said body including an internAlly projecting buttress and said body limited in its resilient deformation by contact with said internal buttress. 